Montessori School of Lake Forest

What Montessori School of Lake Forest does

Montessori School of Lake Forest (MSLF) is a private, non-profit independent Montessori school founded in 1966 as the fifth Montessori school established in Illinois. Headquartered at 13700 W. Laurel Drive in Lake Forest, Illinois, with a satellite Adolescent Program campus at Prairie Crossing in Grayslake, the school delivers authentic Montessori education following Dr. Maria Montessori's pedagogical framework of prepared environments, mixed-age classrooms, and self-directed experiential learning. MSLF serves more than 150 students from over 30 zip codes across Chicago's North Shore through four sequential programs: Toddler (15-36 months), Primary (3-6 years), Elementary (grades 1-6), and Adolescent (grades 7-8), augmented by enrichment programs in Spanish, Mandarin, Outdoor Education on a 5.5-acre prairie/wetland/woodland/oak savanna campus, Physical Education, Music (launched 2024), Cooking, and Gardening. The school holds full accreditation from the American Montessori Society (AMS), the National Council for Private School Accreditation (NCPSA), Association of Illinois Montessori Schools (AIMS) membership, Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recognition, and a Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) license for the Toddler program, and employs 32 staff.

MSLF's revenue model is anchored by recurring annual tuition, with 2026-2027 published rates ranging from $12,620 (Primary half-day, school year) to $33,288 (Full Year plus both extended care add-ons) per student. Tuition may be paid in full, in two installments, or monthly; families must contribute at least 50% of tuition before receiving need-based financial aid processed via FAST. Secondary revenue is generated through an Annual Giving Campaign, Spring Benefit, Legacy Gala (April 17, 2027), memorial and stock gifts, matching gift programs, and affiliate-referral fundraising with Minted, Name Bubbles, and For Small Hands. The school's go-to-market motion is community-led and event-driven: prospective families begin with a by-appointment guided tour, then submit a formal application, with year-round rolling enrollment maintained alongside waiting pools for popular programs. Marketing relies on word-of-mouth referrals, community reputation, the school's website and blog, organic social media, and earned media coverage including Forbes (2025) and the Wall Street Journal's "Montessori Mafia" article.

Operationally, MSLF is governed by a Board of Directors (Emily Van Bel, President) and led by Executive Director Hope Allegretti (21 years tenure). The teaching staff represents a notable talent moat with average lead teacher tenure exceeding 12 years. Technology use is intentionally minimal and developmentally staged per Montessori philosophy, with parent communications and classroom observation handled through Transparent Classroom, emergency alerts via Remind, and calendar via Google Calendar/iCal. The 2026-2027 school year marks the school's 60th anniversary celebration.

Name

Montessori School of Lake Forest

Legal name

Montessori School of Lake Forest

Website

https://mslf.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1966

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Montessori School of Lake Forest is a non-profit independent Montessori school founded in 1966 serving 150+ students from birth through age 14 across its Lake Forest and Grayslake, Illinois campuses via Toddler, Primary, Elementary, and Adolescent programs with annual tuition and community fundraising as its primary revenue sources.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent Montessori School Education (PreK-8)

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Child Day Care Services (8351)

akta.pro primary industry

Montessori K–12 Schools (EDAJABAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Montessori Preschools (EDACABAC), Montessori Early Learning Academies (EDACADAA)

Keywords

• Montessori education services
• Private K-8 education
• Early childhood education
• Independent school tuition
• Montessori adolescent program

Headquarters

HQ city

Lake Forest

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Program Fees: MSLF's primary revenue source is annual tuition charged across four programs (Toddler, Primary, Elementary, Adolescent). Tuition can be paid in full (August 1), in two installments (August 1 and December 1), or via monthly installments. Additional fees apply for optional care (morning care, afternoon care), Club Days, and lunch. The Full Year contract for Toddler and Primary includes summer program attendance and Club Days, at a higher rate than the School Year contract.
2. Donations and Annual Giving: MSLF relies on financial contributions from its community to fund educational initiatives, enrichment programs, capital improvements, classroom materials, faculty continuing education, and financial aid. The Annual Giving Campaign is the primary vehicle. Additional fundraising mechanisms include the Spring Benefit event, memorial/honor gifts, stock donations, and matching gift programs. Federal tax ID: 36-2601978.
3. Effortless Fundraising Programs: MSLF participates in fundraising programs with external partners (Minted, Name Bubbles, For Small Hands) where purchases by MSLF community members generate donations back to the school, typically through referral codes or affiliate-style arrangements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Montessori School of Lake Forest delivers a continuous, authentic Montessori education across four sequential, age-based programs: Toddler (15-36 months), Primary (3-6 years), Elementary (6-12 years), and Adolescent (12-14 years). Instruction is delivered in mixed-age, prepared classrooms on a 5.5-acre outdoor campus, augmented by enrichment offerings (Spanish, Mandarin, Music, PE, Cooking, Garden, Outdoor Education) and supported by extended-day and Club Day care options for working families.

Product overview

Montessori School of Lake Forest offers a comprehensive Montessori education program for children from birth through age 14. The core educational offerings consist of four sequential programs: Toddler (15-36 months), Primary (3-6 years), Elementary (6-12 years), and Adolescent (12-14 years). These programs are enhanced by enrichment offerings including Outdoor Education on the school's 5.5-acre campus, Spanish and Mandarin language instruction, Physical Education and Movement, Music (launched Fall 2024), and Cooking and Garden programs. Extended care options include Before and After School Clubs and Club Days for year-round coverage. The school also provides need-based Financial Aid to sustain economic diversity. The school follows Montessori philosophy emphasizing child-centered learning, mixed-age classrooms, and developmental appropriateness.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Toddler Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Average lead teacher tenure exceeds 12 years — well above industry norms for independent schools
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Nature's ClassroomcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNature's Classroom (Wisconsin) is MSLF's partner for Lower Elementary students' first overnight trip. For many students, this represents their first nights away from home, providing transformative experiences in outdoor exploration, teamwork, and independence development. The partnership is a cornerstone of MSLF's experiential education program.
• Camp Timber-leecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCamp Timber-lee in Wisconsin serves Upper Elementary students on overnight trips that build practical life skills and self-reliance, including weather-appropriate gear planning and trip preparation activities.
• The Country Experience (Amstutz Family Farm)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocated in Elizabeth, IL, The Country Experience provides Upper Elementary students with additional outdoor education and farm-based learning experiences as part of MSLF's progressive overnight trip program.
• MintedminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMSLF participates in Minted's fundraising program where families use code FUNDRAISEMSLF to receive 20% off cards and gift orders, with Minted donating 10% of each order back to MSLF.
• Name BubblesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMSLF participates in Name Bubbles' fundraising program. Families use code MSLF10 to receive 10% off purchases with 10% donated back to MSLF. Products include clothing and non-clothing name labels.
• For Small HandsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMSLF participates in the For Small Hands School Credit Promotion. Qualifying orders placed Sept 1–Dec 31 earn the school credit for free Montessori materials from Montessori Services, while also supporting families with child-size, age-appropriate items.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Guidepost Montessori: Large national Montessori network (operated by Higher Ground Education) offering toddler through elementary programs. A former MSLF faculty member served as Senior Head of School at Guidepost, illustrating the overlap in talent and philosophy.
• LePort Montessori: National Montessori operator offering infant through elementary programs. Larger, multi-site competitor with standardized curricula that competes for families seeking Montessori early childhood education.

Direct peers

• Forest Bluff School: Lake Bluff, IL-based Montessori school offering birth-through-adolescent programs. Highly comparable to MSLF in geography, Montessori philosophy, and age range, and a direct competitor for Chicago North Shore families.
• North Shore Country Day School: Winnetka, IL-based independent PK-12 school. Comparable premium-tier North Shore independent school competing for the same affluent family demographic as MSLF.
• Near North Montessori School: Chicago-based AMS-accredited Montessori school offering toddler through middle school programs. Comparable in age range, Montessori accreditation, and tuition tier to MSLF.
• Lake Forest Country Day School: Independent PK-8 school located in Lake Forest, IL. Competes directly with MSLF for local families seeking private primary education, though it follows a more traditional (non-Montessori) pedagogy.
• Bennett Day School: Chicago-based independent progressive school serving infants through 12th grade. Comparable in project-based learning ethos, premium tuition tier, and Chicago market positioning.
• Countryside Day School: Northbrook, IL-based independent Montessori school serving toddlers through middle schoolers. Direct competitor for North Shore families seeking Montessori education outside Lake Forest.

Regional players

• Montessori Children's House of North Barrington: North Barrington, IL-based Montessori school serving early childhood and elementary students. Regional competitor for Chicago suburban families seeking authentic Montessori education.
• Baker Demonstration School: Chicago-area independent demonstration school affiliated with National Louis University, serving preschool through 8th grade. Comparable progressive private school competing for Chicago North Side families.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/montessori-school-of-lake-forest

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Montessori School of Lake Forest